No souvenir baseball for Anthony Alford after the 23-year-old Blue Jay recorded his first RBI in the majors on Saturday.

Alford, as you can imagine, hopes the production becomes commonplace.

“Hopefully, it’s the first of many,” the leftfielder said after the Jays lost 5-2 against the Boston Red Sox. “I’m glad to get it out of the way.”

Alford’s milestone RBI came on his first career hit at the Rogers Centre. In the fourth inning, he singled up the middle, scoring Kevin Pillar from second base.

“I always felt comfortable around the guys, and I feel like that’s what is most important,” Alford said. “If I’m comfortable in the clubhouse, that will carry over on to the field. I am settling in pretty good.”

Among the Jays veterans that Alford hits up for advice are Pillar, Josh Donaldson and Curtis Granderson.

“I’m around one of the best centrefielders (Pillar) in the game every day and I get to talk to him and pick his brain,” Alford said. “Every situation that comes up, I’m going to make sure I take advantage of the opportunity, to talk during batting practice. Also Grandy, someone who has played the game for a long time. Very knowledgeable and has a lot of wisdom.

“Donaldson is one of the best hitters in the game. To break down mechanics, he is one of the best guys to talk to.”

URSHELA ARRIVES

Acquired from the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday for cash or a player to be named, infielder Gio Urshela made his first start for the Jays at shortstop, going 1-for-2 before he was replaced by Richard Urena in the seventh inning.

“It’s a big chance to build on my career so I’m going to take advantage of it,” Urshela said before the game.

The opportunity for Urshela may last only as long as Aledmys Diaz is on the disabled list. Diaz was placed on the 10-day DL last Tuesday with an ankle injury.

“Utility-type role,” Jays manager John Gibbons said of Urshela’s short-term future. “I saw him at third base in Cleveland. He is really good third baseman, I know that. They say he can (play other spots). He is not your typical shortstop, but there would be days (coming up) that he could probably play there. He is pretty damn good with that glove.”

Gio Urshela #3 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a single in the third inning during MLB game action against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada.Tom Szczerbowski /
Getty Images

NO MAILE-ING IT IN

Luke Maile went home on Friday night — or, more to the point, early on Saturday morning — and promptly hit the sack.

There was no rush of adrenaline to keep the Jays catcher awake, even if he had just smacked a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot in the 12th inning that gave Toronto a 5-3 win against the Red Sox.

“I tell you what, any time you catch 12 innings it’s pretty easy to fall asleep,” Maile said on Saturday afternoon.

“It was a grind of a game, a really well-played game on both sides and you’re mentally exhausted more than anything. I slept just fine.”

Maile struggled at the plate on Saturday, striking out in four at-bats to drop his batting average to .317 from .339.

Still, there has been an overall improvement. In 46 games with the Jays last season, Maile hit .176. What has helped make a difference?

“There is a little bit more aggression at the plate,” Maile said. “I’m seeing the ball better.

“And if you have a bad day, you don’t change anything, you don’t overthink it. You just keep on grinding and keep showing up.”

Gibbons was asked whether Maile can be an everyday starter.

“You never know,” Gibbons said. “He is really good behind the plate.

“You never want to put limitations on anybody, if they go out and do it. It’s hard to find good catchers, especially ones who can hit. He has been pretty impressive.”

Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) celebrates his two-run homerun as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Luke Maile (21) looks on during third inning American League baseball action in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2018.Frank Gunn /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

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